CIA Director John Brennan warned Sunday the threat of Islamic State that is destabilizing the Middle East has “great potential” to reach the United States. Mr. Brennan, speaking in an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” said “the destabilization that is occurring is affecting our national interests abroad but also they have great potential to bring that threat here to the homeland.”
“ISIS is a threat not just in the Middle East and South Asia and African regions but also to Europe as well as to the United States,” Mr. Brennan said, using an alternative name for Islamic State.
Asked if Islamic State is planning an attack on the U.S. homeland, Mr. Brennan cited concern about the group’s use of the Internet to encourage individuals to carry out acts of violence.
He attributed Islamic State’s recent momentum in Iraq and Syria to continuing sectarian tensions and a lack of consistency in the preparedness of Iraqi forces–factors he said ensure the U.S. is in for a long fight.
“Sometimes there are different Iraqi units that either don’t have the leadership, the logistic support that they need in order to counter ISIS,” he said.
“I don’t see this being resolved anytime soon,” Mr. Brennan said. “We will turn back ISIS, I have no doubt about it. But I think there is going to be unfortunately a lot of bloodshed between now and then.”

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